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SERMON 


DELIVERED  BEFORE 

THE  SOCIETY  FOR  PROPAGATING  TIIE  GOSPEL 


AMONG  THE 

INDIANS  AND  OTHERS  IN  NORTH  AMERICA, 

AT 

THEIR  AXXIVERSARY, 

NOV.  4,  1813. 


BY  JOSHUA  BATES,  A.  M. 
Pastor  of  the  First  Church  in  Dedham. 


• © © « 


BOSTOX: 

PUBLISHED  BT  CUMMINGS  AND  HILLIARD,  FOR  THE  SOCIETY. 

Cambridge. ...Hilliard  <§*  Metcalf. 

1813. 


Jit  a meeting  of  the  Society,  November  4,  1813 

Voted— That  Dr.  Lathrop,  Dr.  Holmes,  and  Dr.  Ware  be 
a committee,  to  present  the  thanks  of  the  Society  to  the  Rer. 
Mr.  Bates  for  his  Sermon,  delivered  before  them  this  day, 
and  to  request  a copy  for  the  press. 

A.  HOLMES,  Secretary. 


SERMON. 


ZECHAK1AH  ix.  10. 

HIS  DOMINION  SHALL  BE  FROM  SEA  EVEN  TO  SEA,  AND  FROM 

THE  RIVER  EVEN  TO  THE  ENDS  OF  THE  EARTH. 

Do  you,  with  reference  to  this  prophecy,  make  the  in- 
quiry, which  the  Ethiopian  eunuch  made  concerning  the 
fifty  third  chapter  of  Isaiah — do  you  ask,  “ of  whom 
speaketh  the  prophet  this  ? of  himself,  or  of  some  other 
man  ?”*  We  adopt  in  substance  the  answer  of  Philip  ; 
and,  in  imitation  of  that  primitive  preacher,  we  begin  at 
this  scripture,  and  preach  unto  you  Jesus. 

That  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  who  by  his  mighty  works 
and  heavenly  doctrines  proved  himself  to  be  the  Son  of 
God,  the  promised  Messiah,  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  is 
the  subject  of  this  prophecy,  will  readily  appear  from  a 
view  of  the  context. 

Zechariah  had  been  uttering  a prediction  concerning 
the  temple,  the  house  of  the  Lord.  From  this  type  of 
Christ  he  suddenly  changes  to  the  antitype,  and  in  lan- 
guage of  prophetic  transport  calls  upon  the  church  to  re- 
joice at  the  prospect  of  the  coming  Messiah,  and  the  fu- 
ture glories  of  his  kingdom ; “ Rejoice  greatly,  O daugh- 
ter of  Zion ; shout,  O daughter  of  Jerusalem.  Behold 
thy  king  cometh  unto  thee.  He  is  just,  and  having  sal- 
vation ; lowly,  and  riding  upon  an  ass,  and  upon  a colt, 
• Acts  viii.  34. 


4 


the  foal  of  an  ass.  And  I will  cut  off  the  chariot  from 
Ephraim,  and  the  horse  from  Jerusalem  ; and  the  battle 
bow  shall  be  cut  off ; and  he  shall  speak  peace  unto  the 
heathen;  and  his  dominion  shall  be  from  sea 

■EVEN  TO  SEA,  AND  FROM  THE  RIVER  EVEN  TO  THE 
ENDS  OF  THE  EARTH.”* 

The  first  part  of  this  prophecy  an  inspired  evangel- 
ist expressly  applies  to  Jesus  of  Nazareth  ;f  and  thus 
teaches  us  how  to  apply  the  part,  selected  for  our  text. 
It  is  evidently  applicable  to  Jesus,  the  Christ;  and  clear- 
ly denotes  the  extent  of  his  kingdom.  I need  not  stop 
here  to  show,  that  the  dominion  or  kingdom  of  Christ 
means  the  same  thing  with  the  kingdom  of  Hecrven  or  the 
kingdom  of  God ; since  these  phrases  are  indiscriminate- 
ly used  in  the  New  Testament.  Nor  is  it  necessary  to 
spend  time  in  proving,  that  the  figurative  language  of  the 
text  implies  universal  empire.  This  will  incidentally 
appear,  while  we  attend  to  the  principal  object  of  the  dis- 
course— while  we  attempt  to  prove, 

THAT  THE  CHRISTIAN  RELIGION  IS  DESIGNED 
ULTIMATELY  TO  PREVAIL  THROUGH  THE  WHOLE 
WORLD,  AND  HAVE  A GENERAL  INFLUENCE  ON 
THE  CHARACTER  AND  CONDITION  OF  ALL  MAN- 
KIND. 

What  the  precise  state  of  the  world  during  this  uni- 
versal prevalence  of  Christianity  will  be,  would  indeed 
be  presumption  in  us  to  pretend  to  determine.  The 
prophecies,  relating  to  this  subject,  arc  delivered  in  lan- 
guage highly  figurative ; and  perhaps  were  not  designed 
to  be  definitely  understood,  till  the  time  of  their  complete 
accomplishment.  It  is  even  probable,  that  nothing,  but 
experience,  can  furnish  an  adequate  conception  of  the 

* Zech.  ix.  9,  kc.  f Mattli.  xxi.  5. 


5 

felicity  of  those  days — that  it  will  so  far  exceed  the  most 
exalted  happiness,  which  the  present  condition  of  the 
world  affords,  as  to  justify  us  in  accommodating  to  it  this 
negative  description  of  heavenly  joy — as  to  authorize  us 
to  say,  “eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  hath 
it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man”*  to  conceive,  what  it 
will  be  in  its  full  extent  and  greatest  purity.  That  there 
will  be  a great  change  in  the  social  condition,  if  not  in 
the  civil  institutions  and  political  relations  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  earth,  is  however  highly  probable.  An  ac- 
quaintance with  the  nature  of  man,  and  the  history  of  the 
human  race,  leads  us  to  expect  it;  and  it  is  clearly  intimat- 
ed by  the  language  of  prophecy.  But  whatever  may  be 
the  state  of  the  world  in  these  respects,  the  prophets 
leave  us  no  room  to  doubt,  that  peace  and  righteousness 
and  felicity  will  be  universal  and  abundant.  These  in- 
deed are  the  natural  fruits  of  Christianity,  believed  and 
obeyed.  Let  those,  who  have  felt  the  power  of  religious 
principles,  and  experienced  the  consolations  of  Christian 
hope,  consider  for  a moment,  what  must  be  the  happy 
effects  of  a universal  prevalence  of  these  principles,  and 
an  uninterrupted  enjoyment  of  this  hope.  How  great 
must  be  the  sum  of  human  happiness,  when  all,  in  the 
exercise  of  Christian  benevolence,  seek  the  happiness  of 
all!  How  great  too  must  be  the  increase  of  personal 
felicity  to  each  individual  Christian,  when  all  are  Chris- 
tians— when  his  principles  are  continually  fortified,  and 
his  hope  daily  cherished,  by  the  pious  example  and  press- 
ing exhortation  of  all,  within  the  sphere  of  whose  influ- 
ence he  is  placed  ! If  in  the  present  mixed  state  of  soci- 
ety, where  the  iniquity  of  the  unprincipled  aboundeth, 
and  the  love  of  many  real  Christians  waxeth  cold,  the 

• 1 Cor.  ii.  9. 


6 


happy  effects  of  Christian  faith  and  obedience  are  enjoy- 
ed in  a measure  by  all,  who  believe  and  obey  the  truth ; 
what  unspeakable  happiness  will  be  enjoyed,  when  this 
faith  and  obedience  shall  be  perfect  and  universal — when 
none  shall  grieve  his  pious  neighbour  by  transgression, 
nor  discourage  him  in  his  holy  purposes,  and  retard  him 
in  his  Christian  course  by  the  influence  of  licentious  max- 
ims, and  corrupt  example — when  all  shall  be  mutual 
helpers  of  each  other’s  joy  and  holiness — when  those  cor- 
rupt passions,  whence  wars  and  fightings  among  nations, 
and  animosities  and  contentions  between  individuals, 
proceed  ; those  lusts  in  the  human  breast,  that  war  among 
the  members,  if  not  entirely  subdued,  shall  at  least  be 
brought  under  the  habitual  control  of  Christian  love — 
when  men  shall  learn  war  no  more — when  there  shall  be 
none  to  hurt,  or  make  afraid  on  the  face  of  the  earth — 
when,  (to  adopt  the  figurative,  but  intelligible,  language 
of  the  prophet  Isaiah)  “ the  wolf  shall  dwell  with  the  lamb  ; 
and  the  leopard  shall  lie  down  with  the  kid ; and  the  calf 
and  the  young  lion  and  the  fading  together ; and  a little 
child  shall  lead  them  !”* 

Not,  however,  to  extend  these  preliminary  observa- 
tions, nor  pretend  to  form  definite  views  of  the  civil,  so- 
cial, and  political  state  of  the  wrorld  under  the  universal 
dominion  of  the  Messiah  ; let  us  proceed  to  the  proof  of 
the  proposition,  that  his  dominion  is  designed  to  be  uni. 
versal;  or  in  other  words,  that  Christianity  is  designed  to 
become  the  religion  of  all  mankind ; and  will  ultimately 
obtain  a universal  belief  and  a general  practical  influence 
through  the  whole  world. 

I.  We  observe,  that  it  appears  evidently  to  be  the 
design  of  Heaven,  that  Christianity  should  universally 

* Is.  xi.  6. 


7 


prevail,  from  a view  of  its  nature  and  tendency — its  pro- 
visions and  institutions.  In  its  nature  it  is  benevolent, 
in  its  tendency  purifying,  and  thus  is  it  adapted  to  the 
wants  of  all  mankind.  It  provides  for  the  pardon  of  sin- 
ners, the  reconciliation  of  rebels,  and  the  redemption  of 
slaves — for  deliverance  from  the  power  and  condemna- 
tion of  sin — for  restoration  to  the  love  of  holiness  and 
the  practice  of  virtue  ; and  thus  is  it  accommodated  to 
the  state  of  an  apostate  world.  Its  leading  doctrines  fur- 
nish motives,  which  are  equally  efficacious  in  every  age 
and  country.  Its  general  precepts  are  equally  applicable 
to  men  in  every  state  of  society  and  every  condition  of 
life.  Its  institutions  may  be  observed  with  equal  pro- 
priety and  convenience  in  every  region  of  the  earth.  It 
contains  indeed  nothing  local — nothing  temporary — 
nothing,  which  can  limit  it  to  any  particular  age  or  coun- 
try, which  can  connect  it  exclusively  with  any  peculiar 
form  of  civil  government,  which  can  render  it  dependent 
on  any  state  of  civilization,  or  exclude  it  from  any  climate, 
where  man  can  d\yell.  Whether  Greeks  or  Jews,  Bar- 
barians or  Scythians,  bond  or  free — whether  living  in  an 
age  of  learning,  or  at  a period  of  literary  darkness — 
whether  connected  in  society  by  civil  ties  of  more  or  less 
constraint — whether  inhabiting  the  cold  regions  of  the 
poles,  or  the  warmer  portions  of  the  earth,  men  may  be 
Christians — may  be  animated  by  the  hopes  of  the  gos- 
pel— may  obey  the  precepts,  and  observe  the  institutions 
of  Christianity — may  imbibe  the  spirit,  and  follow  the 
example,  of  Christ — may  find  in  our  religion  a guide  to 
holiness  and  felicity,  adapted  to  their  common  nature, 
and  accommodated  to  their  peculiar  circumstances. 

We  do  not  say,  that  all  parts  of  the  Christian  scrip- 
tures are  equally  intelligible  in  every  age,  nor  equally 


8 


well  understood  by  all  Christians  in  the  same  age. 
Though  we  are  authorized  in  extending  the  observation 
of  the  apostle,  concerning  the  Old  Testament,  to  the 
books  of  the  New — though  we  may  affirm,  that  “all 
scripture  is  given  by  inspiration,  and  is  profitable  for 
doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction  in 
righteousness;”*  yet  we  readily  admit,  that  some  por- 
tions of  the  inspired  writings  are  more  directly  applica- 
ble at  some  periods  of  the  church,  than  at  others ; and 
better  understood  by  some  Christians,  than  by  others. 
But  we  do  say,  that  the  great  doctrines  and  leading  pre- 
cepts of  the  gospel  are  so  often  repeated  and  in  such  vari- 
ous connexions,  that  all,  in  every  age,  may  understand 
enough  to  render  them  good  Christians.  So  plain  is  the 
Christian’s  path,  that  the  way-faring  man,  though  a fool 
according  to  the  estimation  of  worldly  wisdom,  is  under 
no  necessity  of  erring  therein.  Indeed  practical  and  ex- 
perimental Christian  knowledge  depends  neither  on  bril- 
liancy of  talents,  nor  literary  acquirements.  In  the 
school  of  Christ  the  learned  have  no  preeminence  above 
the  unlearned.  Although  learning  and  talents  arc  im- 
portant qualifications  in  religious  teachers ; since  they  en- 
able them  to  enforce  truth,  remove  difficulties,  answer 
objections,  and  convince  or  silence  gainsayers  ; yet  they 
are  by  no  means  necessary  to  constitute  a real  Christian ; 
nor  do  they  afford  much  assistance  in  acquiring  a correct, 
practical  knowledge  of  Christianity.  The  doctrines  of 
this  religion  are  simple  truths,  and  the  precepts  plain  di- 
rections. A child  may  understand  many  of  the  propo- 
sitions, in  which  these  truths  and  directions  are  stated, 
and  repeatedly  stated  in  the  Bible. — A single  example 
will  be  sufficient  to  illustrate  this  observation.  The  doc- 

• 2 Tim.  iii.  16. 


s> 


trine  of  the  resurrection  has  been  justly  accounted  one  oi 
the  most  mysterious,  taught  in  the  scriptures.  Yet  noth- 
ing cun  be  more  plain  and  intelligible,  than  the  declara- 
tion of  our  Lord ; “The  hour  is  coming,  in  the  which  all 
that  are  in  the  graves  shall  come  forth ; they,  that  have 
done  good,  to  the  resurrection  of  life;  and  they,  that  have 
done  evil,  unto  the  resurrection  of  damnation.”*'  The  doc- 
trine is  indeed  mysterious ; but  the  mystery  lies  altogether 
in  the  mode,  the  time,  and  other  circumstances ; concern- 
ing which  men  may  reason  and  conjecture  forever  without 
increasing,  and  it  is  well,  if  they  do  not  thus  diminish  the 
consoling  and  practical  influence  of  the  doctrine.  All,  that 
is  necessary  for  the  security  of  this  influence,  is  a clear 
understanding,  and  a cordial  belief,  of  the  simple  truth — 
the  plain  declaration,  the  dead , both  just  and  unjust , shall 
rise.  These  observations  might  be  applied  with  equal 
force  and  propriety  to  every  principal  doctrine  and  pre- 
cept of  the  gospel.  Indeed  nothing,  but  a spiritual  mindf 
is  necessary  to  discern  the  things  of  the  Spirit.  Noth- 
•ing,  but  an  open  heart , is  requisite  for  the  reception  of  the 
truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  Nothing,  but  a teachable  disposi- 
tion— an  obedient  will , is  essential  to  the  acquisition  of  re- 
al, Christian  knowledge.  “If  any  one  will  do  the  will  of 
God,”  said  the  Saviour,  “ he  shall  know  of  the  doctrine, 
whether  it  be  of  God.”y — With  confidence  therefore  we 
xepeat  the  observation,  that  Christianity  is  a religion, 
adapted  to  the  various  capacities,  situations,  and  condi- 
tions, of  all  mankind  ; and  thus  calculated  to  become  the 
religion  of  the  whole  world. 

It  is  true,  in  some  Christian  countries,  the  modes  of 
religious  worship,  and  the  rules  of  ecclesiastical  proceed- 
ing, have  been  prescribed  by  law ; so  that  the  religion 

• John  v.  28,  29.  f John  vii.  17. 

2 


10 


itself  seemed  to  a superficial  observer  not  only  connected 
with  the  form,  but  dependent  on  the  authority,  of  civil 
government.  But  all  these  prescriptions  are  the  offspring 
of  human  policy  ; they  constitute  no  part  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion.  When  our  Saviour  said,  “ my  kingdom 
is  not  of  this  world,”*  he  said  in  effect,  what  all  its  laws 
and  sanctions  fully  illustrate,  that  it  acknowledges  no  af- 
finity with  earthly  powers,  nor  any  dependence  on  world- 
ly policy.  Prescribing  no  form  of  civil  government, 
but  enjoining  obedience  to  all  legitimate  authority,  Chris- 
tianity easily  accommodates  itself  to  the  civil  institutions 
of  all  nations.  That  it  has  sometimes  been  closely  con- 
nected with  these  institutions,  and  often  incorporated 
with  them  in  constitutions  of  civil  government,  furnishes 
therefore  no  objection  to  our  argument.  Nor  will  this 
circumstance,  though  it  may  seem  to  retard,  ultimately 
prevent,  the  propagation  of  the  gospel,  among  the  na- 
tions and  tribes  of  the  earth. 

It  is  true  likewise,  that  the  special  ordinances  of  the 
gospel  are  sometimes  administered  in  a manner,  which 
would  be  impracticable,  br  at  least  extremely  inconven- 
ient, in  some  parts  of  the  world.  Thus  the  use  of 
wine  has  been  common  in  administering  the  ordinance 
of  the  Lord’s  supper  ; and  we  surely  have  reason  to  be- 
lieve, that  it  was  used,  when  this  commemorative  feast 
was  instituted.  Still  however  wine  is  not  essential  to 
the  ordinance  ; for  it  is  not  designated  either  by  our  Lord, 
or  his  inspired  apostles.  Where  therefore  it  could  not 
be  obtained,  a substitute  might  be  found,  to  supply  its 
place  in  the  cup  of  blessing,  without  perverting  the  or- 
dinance, or  violating  even  the  letter  of  the  precept,  by 
which  it  was  instituted. — Thus  too  some  have  adopted 


John  xviii.  36. 


11 


a mode  of  baptism,  which  in  some  climates  would  be 
impracticable  through  the  largest  portion  of  the  year,  and 
which  is  always  dangerous  to  invalids.  But  although  we 
admit,  that  neither  this,  nor  any  other,  mode  of  adminis- 
tering the  ordinance  is  expressly  forbidden  ; yet  we  are 
certainly  authorized  to  say,  that  neither  this,  nor  any  oth- 
er, mode  is  so  definitely  prescribed,  as  to  constitute  the 
essence  of  baptism,  or  be  necessary  to  the  acceptable 
discharge  of  the  duty. 

Indeed  all  that  variety  in  modes  of  worship  and  forms 
of  ecclesiastical  government,  which  exists  in  the  Chris- 
tian church,  and  which  may  seem  at  first  view  to  oppose 
a barrier  to  the  general  diffusion  of  the  gospel,  is  the  ef- 
fect of  human  invention.  In  some  instances  perhaps 
these  modes  and  forms^  prescribed  by  man,  are  not  only 
innocent,  but  convenient ; yet  they  are  certainly  not  es- 
sential to  Christianity,  and  therefore  furnish  no  real  ob- 
jection to  our  argument. 

II.  We  observe,  that  the  manner,  in  which  the  Christian 
religion  was  introduced  and  established,  as  well  as  its  pro- 
gress in  the  world  in  opposition  to  power  and  prejudice,  is 
a proof,  that  it  is  designed  to  become  universal,  and  a pledge 
of  its  future  triumphs  over  “ the  rulers  of  the  darkness  of 
this  world,”  over  “ spiritual  wickedness  in  high  places,” 
over  “ principalities  and  powers,”  and  every  thing  which 
opposeth  itself  to  truth  and  righteousness.  Its  first  con- 
verts, comprehending  men  of  different  nations  and  vari- 
ous ranks  in  society,  were  made,  not  by  force,  but  by 
persuasion — by  convincing  the  understanding  and  chang- 
ing the  heart.  It  has  withstood  the  opposition  of  wit  and 
learning,  policy  and  power.  Though  the  gates  of  hell 
have  uniformly  resisted  its  progress,  they  have  never  been 
able  to  prevail  against  it.  It  is  true,  its  progress  has 


12 


not  been  uniform,  nor  without  partial  and  temporary  in- 
terruption. Sometimes  the  gospel  has  spread  with  great 
rapidity ; and  sometimes  it  has  seemed  for  a season  to  be 
stationary,  or  even  retrograde.  Particular  churches  have 
risen  and  fallen.  Different  regions  have  been  enlighten- 
ed with  the  ra)rs  of  the  Sun  of  righteousness,  and  again 
covered  with  thick  darkness.  Vital  religion  has  alter- 
nately revived  and  declined.  The  church  has  frequent- 
ly been  persecuted  ; but  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  has 
proved  to  be  the  seed  of  the  church.  She  has  been  de- 
pressed and  covered  with  sackcloth  ; but  she  has  soon 
arisen  from  the  depression,  and  “put  on  her  beautiful  gar- 
ments.” She  has  been  in  the  midst  of  the  fire ; but  the 
flames  have  not  kindled  upon  her — Jike  the  burning  bush, 
she  has  remained  unconsumed,  j She  has  been  driven 
into  the  wilderness,  and  hid  for  a season  in  the  caves  of 
the  mountain ; but  she  has  not  been  lost — she  has  come 
forth  again  in  all  her  glory  and  splendor,  “ fair,  as  the 
moon  ; clear,  as  the  sun ; and  terrible,  as  an  army  with 
banners.”  Thus  the  establishment,  preservation,  and 
gradual  advancement,  of  Christianity  in  the  world,  not- 
withstanding the  number,  subtlety,  and  persevering  in- 
dustry, of  its  enemies,  is  a proof,  that  it  was  designed  to 
prevail;  and  a pledge,  that  it  will  ultimately  prevail 
through  the  earth.  But  after  all,  for  convincing  proof 
and  conclusive  evidence  of  the  truth  of  our  general  prop- 
osition, we  must  resort  to  the  sure  word  of  prophecy. 

III.  Therefore  we  observe,  that  the  prophecies  of  the 
Old  Testament  and  New — prophecies,  accompanied  with 
the  clearest  credentials — prophecies,  delivered  by  “ holy 
men,  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost” — proph- 
ecies, a part  of  which  have  already  been  accomplished, 
and  thus  been  demonstrated  to  have  proceeded  from  the 


13 


Spirit  of  truth ; — that  these  prophecies  in  various  con- 
nexions, under  different  figures  of  speech,  again  and 
again,  teach,  illustrate,  and  confirm  our  doctrine.  Thus 
in  Isaiah,  where  the  Messiah  is  spoken  of  under  the  dig- 
nified names  and  titles  of  “ Wonderful,  Counsellor,  the 
Mighty  God,  the  Everlasting  Father,  the  Prince  of  peace,” 
it  is  said  ; “ Of  the  increase  of  his  government  and  peace 
there  shall  be  no  end.”*  Among  a multitude  of  other 
express  declarations  to  the  same  effect,  by  the  same  pro- 
phet, it  is  added ; “ The  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  Lord , as  the  waters  cover  the  seas.”f  Thus 
too  the  Psalmist,  uttering  a prophecy  concerning  Christ, 
says  ; “ His  name  shall  endure  forever ; his  name  shall 
be  continued,  as  long  as  the  sun  ; and  men  shall  be  bles- 
sed in  him  ; all  nations  shall  call  him  blessed .”  Again  in 
language,  similar  to  our  text,  he  says ; “ He  shall  have 
dominion  also  from  sea  to  sea  ; and  from  the  river  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth.”%  Thus  likewise,  according  to  the  in- 
terpretation of  Nebuchadnezzar’s  dream  by  the  prophet 
Daniel,  the  kingdom,  which  was  to  comprehend  the  na- 
tions, included  in  the  four  successive  empires  of  the 
East,  is  finally  to  be  extended  over  the  whole  earth,  and 
continue  to  the  end  of  time  ; — “ The  stone,  which  smote 
the  image,  became  a great  mountain  ; and filled  the  whole 
earth”)  The  same  truth  is  taught  by  the  same  proph- 
et, in  his  prediction,  founded  on  the  vision  of  the  four 
beasts.  These  are  the  concluding  words  of  the  predic- 
tion ; “ And  the  kingdom  and  dominion,  and  the  great- 
ness of  the  kingdom  under  the  whole  heaven,  shall  be 
given  to  the  people  of  the  saints  of  the  Most  High  ; 
whose  kingdom  is  an  everlasting  kingdom  ; and  all  do- 
minions shall  serve  and  obey  him.” || — Thus  moreover, 

• Is.  ix.  6.  t Is.  xi.  9.  * Ps.  lxxii.  8—17.  $ Dan.  2.  ||  Ban.  7. 


14 


the  apostle  Paul  has  clearly  predicted,  that  the  Jews 
will  ultimately  come  into  the  Christian  church,  with  the 
fulness  of  the  Gentiles.  I quote  but  a small  part  of  his 
strong  language  on  this  subject,  addressed  to  the  Chris- 
tians at  Rome;  “For  I would  not,  brethren,  that  ye 
should  be  ignorant  of  this  mystery — that  blindness  in 
part  is  happened  to  Israel,  until  the  fulness  of  the  Gen- 
tiles be  come  in.  And  so  all  Israel  shall  be  saved  ; as  it  is 
written,  there  shall  come  out  of  Zion  the  Deliverer,  and 
shall  turn  away  ungodliness  from  Jacob  A*  Thus  finally, 
the  apostle  John,  who  was  often  “ rapt  into  future 
times  and  obtained  a view,  or  heard  a representation, 
of  things  to  come,  among  other  visions  of  the  church  uni- 
versal and  triumphant,  records  one  in  these  words ; “And 
the  seventh  angel  sounded  ; and  there  were  great  voices 
in  heaven,  saying,  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  are  become 
the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Christ  ; and  he  shall 
reign  forever  and  ever.”\  I proceed  no  further  in  mak- 
ing quotations  from  the  prophecies,  not  because  others 
might  not  be  made,  equally  appropriate ; but  because 
these  are  abundantly  sufficient  for  our  present  purpose. 
It  would  indeed  be  in  vain,  and  certainly  it  is  here  unne- 
cessary, to  attempt  a recital  of  all  the  passages  of  scrip- 
ture, which  contain  intimations,  symbolical  representa- 
tions, and  express  predictions,  of  the  universal  propaga- 
tion of  the  gospel,  and  the  general  influence  of  its  purify* 
ing  spirit. 

But  by  what  means,  or  in  what  manner,  Christianity 
will  obtain  this  universal  influence,  we  are  not  able  with 
much  precision  to  determine.  Indeed,  (to  adopt  the  lan- 
guage of  Faber)  “such  ‘ secret  things,’  as  unaccomplish- 
ed prophecies,  ‘ belong  unto  the  Lord  our  God  and  it  is 

• Rom.  si.  25,  26.  f Rev.  xi.  15. 


15 


a vain  waste  of  time  to  weary  ourselves  with  conjectures, 
respecting  the  precise  mode  of  their  accomplishment.  Up- 
on  these  points,  when  wc  go  beyond  what  is  written,  we 
exceed  our  commission;  and  it  has  almost  invariably 
been  found,  that  the  commentator,  who  attempted  to  show 
how  a prophecy  was  about  to  be  fulfilled,  was  by  the 
event  convicted  of  error.  We  may  safely  and  positive, 
ly  declare,  what  will  come  to  pass  ; and  we  may  even 
say,  how  it  will  come  to  pass  so  long,  as  we  resolutely 
confine  ourselves  to  the  explicit  declarations  of  scripture. 
But  to  point  out  the  manner , in  which  an  event  will  be 
accomplished,  any  further , than  the  word  of  God  hath  re- 
vealed the  manner  of  it,  is  to  pry  too  curiously  into  what 
he  hath  purposely  concealed  ; and  to  aim  at  becoming 
prophets , instead  of  contenting  ourselves  with  being  hum- 
ble and  fallible  expositors  of  prophecy.”  An  attempt  to 
show  precisely  how  the  glorious  event,  predicted  in  our 
text,  will  be  produced,  would  surely  be  in  us  the  height 
of  presumption.  We  know  not,  whether  it  will  be  sole- 
ly by  the  use  of  ordinary  means,  under  the  leadings  of 
Providence  and  the  gracious  influences  of  the  Spirit,  sup- 
porting the  preachers  of  the  gospel,  and  opening  the 
hearts  of  their  hearers  to  receive  the  truth  ; or,  as  at  the 
first  establishment  of  Christianity,  by  some  miraculous 
interposition  of  Heaven — some  special  assistance  from 
above — some  wonderful  effusion  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  We 
are,  however,  certainly  authorized  to  say,  that  ordinary 
means  will  not  be  omitted.  Faithful  teachers  will  be 
sent  into  every  region  ; the  Bible  will  be  translated  into 
every  language ; the  gospel  will  be  preached  to  every  ra- 
tional creature  under  heaven.  The  analogy  of  grace  as 
well,  as  the  language  of  prophecy,  must  likewise  lead  us 
to  expect,  that  the  conversion  of  the  world  will  continue 


16 


to  be  in  some  measure  progressive ; like  the  growth  of 
the  mustard- seed,  or  the  diffusion  of  leaven.  This  pro- 
gress may  indeed,  toward  the  time  of  the  completion, 
be  exceedingly  rapid.  The  scene  of  Pentecost  may  be 
again  exhibited.  Nations  may  be  born  in  a day.  The 
figurative  language  of  the  prophet  may  be  strictly  appli- 
cable to  the  Christian  converts  of  that  period ; “ these 
fly  as  a cloud,  and  as  doves  to  their  windows.”*  Indeed, 
although  we  have  reason  to  expect,  that  the  spread  of  the 
gospel  and  its  happy  influence  will  continue  to  be  pro- 
gressive ; yet  have  we  at  least  equal  reason  to  conclude, 
that  it  will,  for  a season  before  its  complete  triumphs, 
spread  with  greater  rapidity,  and  produce  a more  direct 
and  permanent  influence  on  the  character  and  condition 
of  men,  than  it  has  ever  done,  since  the  days  of  the  apos- 
tles. For  certainly  the  change,  to  be  produced  in  these 
respects,  is  great — great  not  only  in  heathen  lands  ; but 
even  in  those  countries,  which  are  now  denominated 
Christian.  Much  error  must  be  corrected,  great  preju- 
dice overcome,  strong  passions  subdued,  and  depraved 
appetites  restrained  and  rectified.  Thousands  of  nomi- 
nal Christians  must  be  taught  the  very  “ first  principles 
of  the  oracles  of  God,”  and  turned  from  the  error  of  their 
ways  to  the  wisdom  of  the  just ; and  tens  of  thousands, 
who  now  worship  dumb  idols,  must  be  converted  from 
their  debasing,  sensual,  and  often  cruel,  devotion,  to  the 
knowledge  and  service  of  the  only  living  and  true  God. 
Still,  however,  (I  repeat  the  observation)  what  will  be  the 
precise  mode  and  peculiar  circumstances  of  this  change, 
we  pretend  not  to  determine. 

Nor  are  we  able  to  learn  with  certainty,  haw  soon  this 
predicted  change  in  the  moral  and  religious  state  of  the 


• Isa.  lx.  8. 


17 


world  will  have  so  far  taken  place,  as  to  constitute  a 
complete  accomplishment  of  the  prophecy  ; and  it  is  a 
mark,  not  only  of  vanity,  but  presumption,  to  pretend 
to  be  wise  above,  what  is  written.  Sir  Isaac  Newton 
very  justly  observes,  that  “ the  folly  of  interpreters  has 
been  to  foretel  times  and  things  by  the  Apocalypse,  as 
if  God  designed  to  make  them  prophets.  By  this  rash- 
ness,” continues  he,  “ they  have  not  only  exposed  them- 
selves, but  brought  the  prophecy  also  into  contempt.” 
It  is  not,  however,  inconsistent  with  this  modest  senti- 
ment, to  notice  “ the  times”  and  “signs  of  times,”  which 
the  prophets  have  described  in  connexion  with  predicted 
events. — Now  both  Daniel  and  St.  John,  whose  prophet- 
ic numbers  are  in  perfect  agreement,  have  definitely  fix- 
ed the  duration  of  the  reign  of  Antichrist  to  twelve  hun- 
dred and  sixty  years ; and  the  great  event,  predicted  in 
our  text,  is  closely  connected  by  the  prophets  with  the 
destruction  of  this  antichristian  power.  But  whether 
the  commencement  of  this  reign  is  to  be  reckoned  from 
the  year  606,  when  the  bishop  of  Rome  assumed  the 
impious  title,  and  began  to  exercise  the  tyrannical  powr- 
er,  of  universal  bishop ; or  from  the  year  756,  when  the 
papal  authority  was  confirmed  by  the  union  of  civil  and 
ecclesiastical  power  in  the  person,  who  succeeded  this 
self-created  bishop  ; or  from  some  other  period,  we  are 
not  able  absolutely  to  determine.  For  wise  reasons  it 
was  probably  designed  by  Heaven,  that  we  should  not  be 
able  definitely  and  with  assurance  to  determine  this  point, 
till  the  full  accomplishment  of  the  prophecy  should  as- 
sist the  expositor  in  the  application  of  all  its  parts.  Nor 
is  it  necessary  for  any  practical  purpose,  that  we  should 
indulge  in  uncertain  conjecture.  For  at  whatever  prob- 
able period  you  fix  the  commencement  of  the  reign  of 


18 


Antichrist,  the  end  cannot  be  far  distant.  According  to 
every  plausible  hypothesis  the  hour  is  at  hand,  when  eve- 
ry thing,  which  exalteth  itself  against  God,  shall  be  de- 
stroyed— “ when  all  opposition  to  the  Redeemer’s  king- 
dom shall  appear  to  have  been  in  vain” — when  those, 
who  are  alive  and  remain,  shall  behold  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  prophecy,  and  understand  the  meaning  of  the 
vision,  in  which  the  beloved  apostle  saw  an  angel  come 
down  from  heaven , having  great  power , and  crying  migh- 
tily with  a strong  voice , Babylon  the  great  is  fallen  ! is 
fallen  !* 

But  beside  markedjperiods  and  definite  eras,  the  prophets 
have  furnished  us  with  specific  signs  of  future  times  and 
seasons.  Among  the  signs,  which  indicate  the  speedy  ap- 
proach of  the  happy  period,  predicted  in  our  text,  are  these ; 
great  commotions  and  revolutions  in  the  world — nation  ris- 
ing up  against  nation,  and  kingdom  against  kingdom  ; — 
a temporary  declension  of  vital  religion — a falling  away 
from  the  faith,  once  delivered  to  the  saints — a preva- 
lence, for  a season,  of  infidelity  and  error,  vice  and  iniqui- 
ty, in  Christian  countries ; *and  all  this  accompanied,  or 
closely  followed,  by  increased  zeal  and  activity  in  the 
cause  of  truth  and  righteousness — real  Christians  of  vari- 
ous denominations  with  united  energy  striving  to 
strengthen  the  good  things,  which  remain  among  them, 
and  to  communicate  the  light  of  life  to  them,  that  sit  in 
darkness  and  in  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death — men 
running  to  and  fro  through  the  earth  and  spreading  the 
knowledge  of  God,  our  Saviour — an  angel,  a messenger, 
a zealous  ministry,  flying  in  the  midst  of  heaven,  going 
forth  in  haste,  having  the  everlasting  gospel  to  preach 
unto  them , that  dwell  on  the  earth,  and  to  every  nation  and 


• Rev.  18. 


19 


kingdom  and  tongue  and  people.  All  these  signs  ot  the 
universal  prevalence  of  Christianity  we  have  seen ; or  if 
we  look  abroad  through  the  world,  we  may  now  see. 
We  have  therefore  every  reason  to  expect,  that  the  time 
is  not  very  remote;  when  the  dominion  of  the  Re- 
deemer shall  be  extended  from  sea  to  sea,  and  from 

THE  RIVER  TO  THE  ENDS  OF  THE  EARTH WHEN 

THE  CHRISTIAN  RELIGION  SHALL  PREVAIL  THROUGH 
THE  WHOLE  WORLD,  AND  HAVE  A GENERAL  INFLU- 
ENCE ON  THE  CHARACTER  AND  CONDITION  OF  ALL 
MANKIND. 

Our  subject,  my  hearers,  thus  considered,  furnishes 
lessons  of  warning,  of  consolation,  of  duty — of  warning 
for  the  wicked,  of  consolation  for  the  righteous,  of  duty 
for  all.  With  a view  to  this  division,  and  by  way  of  im- 
provement, we  observe ; 

First;  Since  Christianity  is  designed  universally  to 
prevail  and  triumph  over  all  opposition  ; the  wicked , who 
directly  or  indirectly  resist  its  injluence  and  oppose  its  pro- 
gress, must  either  repent , lay  down  the  weapons  of  their 
warfare,  and  voluntarily  submit  to  the  dominion  of  Christ ; 
or  be  destroyed.  Certain  it  is,  that  they  will  not  succeed 
in  their  wicked  attempts.  They  cannot  undermine  the 
church  of  Christ ; for  it  is  founded  on  a rock.  They 
cannot  scale  the  walls  of  Zion ; for  they  reach  to  heaven. 
They  cannot  pull  down  the  Christian  edifice ; for  it  is  a 
building  of  God,  made  of  imperishable  materials,  erected 
and  supported  by  an  omnipotent  hand. 

The  fate  of  all  who  have  preceded  in  this  work  of 
opposition  to  the  gospel,  strengthens  this  solemn  admoni- 
tion. ‘The  church,  the  spiritual  kingdom,  the  pure  re- 
ligion of  Christ  has  had  its  enemies  from  the  beginning 
— enemies  without  and  enemies  within.  It  has  been 


20 


openly  attacked  by  the  weapons  of  infidelity,  and  secretly 
assailed  by  the  subtle  and  intriguing  arts  of  hypocrisy. 
It  has  been  smitten  in  the  dwellings  of  its  acknowledged 
foes,  and  wounded  in  the  house  of  its  pretended  friends. 
In  different  ways  it  has  been  opposed  by  all  the  violence 
of  unholy  passions  and  all  the  policy  of  unsanctified 
reason.  But  what  have  all  these  efforts  availed  ? What 
have  the  enemies  of  the  Lord  accomplished?  What  are 
the  fruits  of  their  labor  ? Nothing,  but  their  own  mise- 
ry— nothing,  but  bewildering  uncertainty  and  fearful  ap- 
prehensions in  this  world,  and  in  that,  which  is  to  come, 
“everlasting  destruction  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord 
and  the  glory  of  his  power.”*  In  spite  of  all  opposition, 
whether  from  the  scribes  and  pharisees  of  old,  or  open  en- 
emiesoflater  times — whether  from  Judas,  its  first  false  pro- 
fessor, or  hypocrites  and  apostates  in  succeeding  genera- 
tions, Christianity  has  remained  ; while  its  enemies  have 
risen  in  succession,  labored  in  vain,  died  in  despair  and 
gone  to  their  “ own  place.”  If  our  doctrine  be  true ; the 
same,  or  a worse , doom  awaits  those,  who  continue  to  fol- 
lowtheirexample.  For  the  higher  the  Sunof  righteousness 
rises  above  the  horizon,  and  the  clearer  and  more  ex- 
tensively the  light  of  the  gospel  shines  ; the  greater  will 
be  the  guilt,  and  the  more  severe  the  condemnation,  of 
those,  who  obstinately  close  their  eyes  and  walk  in  dark- 
ness.— What  then  are  the  enemies  of  the  cross — the  op- 
posers  of  the  benign  spirit  of  Christianity — the  infidel, 
the  hypocrite,  the  scoffer,  the  wicked  of  every  descrip- 
tion— what  are  they  doing? — Contending  against  Omni- 
potence! Working  out  their  own  destruction ! “Trea- 
suring up  unto  themselves  wrath  against  the  day  of 
wrath  !” — Oh,  the  folly  and  madness  of  the  impious  man  1 


2 Thes.  i.  9. 


21 


Iiow  fruitless  are  his  labors  ; how  vain  his  expectations  , 
how  wretched  his  end  ! We  observe, 

Secondly , Since  Christianity  is  designed  to  prevail 
through  the  whole  world;  and  since  the  time  of  its  rapid 
progress  and  final  triumph  is  probably  near  at  hand, 
Christians  have  reason  to  rejoice.  Our  subject  is  certain- 
ly calculated  to  afford  consolation  and  joy  to  all  true  be- 
lievers, even  in  this  season  of  trials,  this  time  of  dark- 
ness, this  age  of  wonders.  For  although  we  have  reason 
to  expect,  that  still  greater  tribulations,  than  those,  which 
have  already  come  upon  the  world,  will  yet  precede  the 
universal  reign  of  the  Prince  of  peace ; and  that  a still 
more  extensive  destruction  of  the  wicked,  than  that,  which 
is  now  produced  by  the  desolating  sword,  will  yet  be 
made,  to  prepare  the  way  for  this  mild  reign  of  peace  and 
righteousness ; — although  we  cannot  doubt,  that  the  re- 
moval of  all  obstructions  to  the  pure  and  perfect  influ- 
ence of  the  gospel  will  be  attended  with  mighty  revolu- 
tions and  terrible  devastations ; — although  we  know  in- 
deed, that  those,  who  continue  to  oppose  the  truth,  and 
harden  themselves  against  correction — who  tread  under 
foot  the  Son  of  God,  count  the  blood  of  the  covenant  an 
unholy  thing,  and  do  despite  to  the  Spirit  of  grace* — 
who  pervert  the  evidences,  ridicule  the  doctrines,  and  dis- 
regard the  precepts,  of  the  gospel  of  Christ — who  re- 
main incorrigible  at  the  period  of  his  final  triumph  and 
universal  reign — who  cannot  be  made  willing  and  obe- 
dient subjects  of  his  government,  even  in  the  day  of  his 
great  power — that  these  and  all,  who  have  gone  before 
them  in  rebellion  against  his  authority,  will  be  bound  in 
everlasting  chains,  and  with  the  angels,  who  kept  not 
their  first  estate,  reserved  under  darkness  unto  the  judg- 

• Heb.x.29. 


22 


ment  of  the  great  day  :*■ — Yet,  when  we  take  into  view 
the  subsequent  peace,  righteousness,  and  felicity,  which 
will  fill  the  earth — when  we  consider  the  multitude,  the 
incalculable  multitude,  of  all  nations,  kindreds,  and 
tongues,  who  will  then  be  redeemed  from  the  power  and 
condemnation  of  sin — when,  in  a word,  we  contrast  the 
present  condition  of  the  world  with  what  it  will  probably 
then  be  ; and  compare  the  present  small  number  of  even 
professed  Christians  with  the  thousands  of  thousands 
and  ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand,  who  will  then  rise 
in  succession  and  occupy  the  boundless  mansions  of  joy, 
which  infinite  love  hath  prepared; — when  we  connect 
this  bright  prospect  of  divine  glory,  of  redeeming  love, 
of  human  felicity,  with  the  limited  clouds  and  dark  spots, 
which  intervene,  the  view  becomes  transporting ; and 
forgetting  the  partial  evil , we  rejoice  with  joy  unspeaka- 
ble in  the  universal  good. — Who  indeed  can  forbear  to 
rejoice,  while  contemplating  the  approaching  change  even 
in  the  temporal  condition  of  mankind  ? Consider  for  a 
moment  the  cruel  rites,  the  licentious  precepts,  and  gloo- 
my prospects,  of  Pagan  superstition — the  corrupt,  sen- 
sual, and  debasing,  influence  of  Mahomedan  imposture — 
the  contracted,  envious,  and  proud,  spirit  of  Jewish  big- 
otry— we  may  add,  the  cold,  formal,  unmeaning  worship, 
and  selfish  morality,  of  perverted  Christianity,  of  nominal 
Christians,  of  those,  who  feel  and  act,  like  heathens,  in  a 
Christian  land ; — consider  these  things  with  the  compli- 
cated misery,  which  they  produce  in  the  world ; and  then 
say,  is  not  that  change  in  the  condition  of  mankind  desir- 
able, which  will  be  effected  by  a universal  propagation  of 
the  gospel,  and  a general  prevalence  of  its  pure,  peacea- 
ble, humble  and  benevolent  spirit  ? — then  say,  must  it 


Jude  6. 


23 


not  he  a source  of  consolation  and  joy  to  Christians,  that 
the  happy  time  is  fast  approaching,  when  “ the  earth  shall 
be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord”* — when  “ at  the 
name  of  Jesus  every  knee  shall  bow,  and  every  tongue 
confess,  that  Jesus  Christ  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God 
the  Father”! — when  Christian  love  shall  dwell  in  every 
heart,  and  become  the  governing  principle  of  human  con- 
duct ? — But  what  are  all  these  temporal  effects  of  the 
predicted  change  in  the  religious  state  of  mankind,  in 
comparison  with  its  everlasting  consequences — in  com- 
parison with  the  redemption  of  immortal  souls — in  com- 
parison with  the  joy  in  heaven,  which  will  result  from 
the  immense  accession  to  the  multitude  of  the  heavenly 
hosts — in  comparison  with  the  glory  and  felicity  of  the 
redeemed,  who  will  daily  ascend  in  crowds  from  earth  to 
heaven — whose  increasing  numbers  through  successive 
generations  none  can  estimate — who  (if  we  may  be  in- 
dulged in  one  probable  conjecture)  will  finally  so  exten- 
sively replenish  the  regions  of  light  and  felicity,  as  to 
render  the  place  of  darkness  and  despair  comparatively, 
as  a speck  in  creation,  and  hell  itself  (to  borrow  a simili- 
tude) as  the  mere  prison-house  of  the  universe  ! This 
leads  us  to  observe, 

Thirdly,  Since  Christianity  is  designed  to  become 
the  religion  of  the  whole  world,  and  have  a general  influ- 
ence on  the  character  and  condition  of  all  mankind ; and 
since  ordinary  means  will  not  be  omitted  in  producing 
this  predicted  change,  it  is  the  duty  of  all,  who  have  op- 
portunity and  ability , to  become  workers  together  in  this 
divine  employment.  I say  of  all,  though  1 know,  that  all 
do  not  feel  and  will  not  acknowledge  the  obligation.  The 
infidel  and  the  merely  nominal  Christian  must  experience 

• Is.  xi.  9.  t Phil*  10- 


24 


a change  in  their  own  sentiments  and  dispositions,  be- 
fore they  can  cordially  unite  in  any  attempt  to  promote 
this  general  renovation  of  the  world.  While  therefore 
we  state  their  duty,  we  expect  not  their  assistance.  But 
to  real  Christians  we  shall  not  speak  in  vain. — If,  my 
brethren,  you  are  constrained  by  the  love  of  Christ — if 
you  feel  for  the  miseries  of  a world,  lying  in  wickedness 
— if  you  have  learned  to  estimate  the  value  of  immortal 
souls,  you  will  cheerfully  and  earnestly  engage  in  this 
glorious  work.  The  language  of  divine  promise  will 
become  the  language  of  your  daily  prayers.  You  will 
pray  in  faith,  with  fervency  and  perseverance,  that  the 
dominion  of  Christ  may  speedily  he  extended  from  sea  to 
sea , and  from  the  river  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  For  Zi- 
on’s sake  you  will  not  hold  your  peace ; and  for  Jerusa- 
lem’s sake  you  will  not  rest ; until  the  righteousness  there- 
of go  forth,  as  brightness,  and  the  salvation  thereof,  as  a 
lamp  that  burneth.  To  your  prayers  you  will  add  your 
exertions.  You  will  use  your  influence,  to  increase  pure 
and  undefiled  religion  in  your  families,  among  your 
friends,  and  through  the  whole  circle,  in  which  Provi- 
dence has  destined  you  to  move.  You  will,  moreover, 
by  personal  labors  or  pecuniary  assistances,  aid  in  send- 
ing the  gospel  to  those,  who  are  perishing  for  lack  of 
vision.* 

Let  none,  who  pretend  to  be  Christians,  excuse  them- 
selves from  taking  an  active  part  in  this  business.  Say  not 
in  the  language  of  indolence  and  impiety  ; “ because  the 
Lord  reigneth,  our  exertions  are  unnecessary,  and  would 
be  in  vain.”  Such  a declaration  is  a perversion  of  the 
doctrine  of  Providence,  and  implies  a disregard  to  the 
express  commands  of  Heaven. — It  is  true,  God  is  the 


• Prov.  xxix.  18. 


25 


Governor  of  the  universe ; but  men  are  among  the 
agents,  employed  in  his  government.  He  will  be  the 
Author  of  the  predicted  change  in  the  state  of  the  world  ; 
but  men  are  among  the  instruments,  which  he  will  use 
in  producing  it.  The  gospel  was  not  published  without 
apostles.  The  reformation  was  not  effected  without  the 
instrumentality  of  man.  Nor  will  Christianity  obtain  its 
final  triumph  and  universal  influence,  without  human  ex- 
ertion. 

Within  a few  years  much  has  been  done  in  the  glo- 
rious work  of  evangelizing  the  world.  Societies  have 
been  formed,  both  in  Europe  and  America,  for  the  prop- 
agation of  the  gospel  in  heathen  lands,  and  the  promotion 
of  Christian  knowledge,  evangelical  truth,  piety,  and  vir- 
tue, among  nominal  Christians.  Missionaries  have  been 
sent  forth.  Pious  schools  have  been  established.  Bibles 
and  religious  tracts  have  been  distributed.  The  sums, 
collected  and  expended,  for  these  purposes,  by  several 
societies  in  England,  are  immense ; and  their  exertions 
beyond  all  example.  By  some  of  them  missionaries  are 
sent  forth  and  supported  in  Africa,  in  various  parts  of 
Asia,  particularly  in  Hindostnn  and  the  islands  of  the  ' 
Pacific  ocean  ; having  the  everlasting  gospel  in  their 
hands,  translating  into  various  languages,  and  preaching 
it  to  people  of  different  nations  and  tongues.  Others  are 
employed  in  supplying  the  poor  and  destitute  with  the 
word  of  God  and  other  means  of  grace,  not  only  in  their 
own  country,  but  through  almost  the  whole  extent  of  Eu- 
rope, not  excepting  even  their  enemies.  The  sqme  mis- 
sionary spirit  has  likewise  displayed  itself,  among  seri- 
ous people,  in  other  protestant  nations  in  Europe ; and, 
as  we  before  observed,  has  made  its  appearance,  and 
spread  with  wonderful  rapidity,  in  America.  When 
4 


26 


th*S  SOCIETY,  FOR  PROPAGATING  THE  GOSPEL  AMONG 
THE  INDIANS  AND  OTHERS  IN  NORTH  AMERICA,  WRS 

formed,  there  did  not  exist  a similar  institution  in  the 
country.  But  how  many  have  since  arisen,  to  aid  it  in 
its  benevolent  exertions ; some,  to  distribute  the  Bible  ; 
some,  to  disseminate  religious  tracts ; some,  to  support 
missionaries,  and  assist  in  the  settlement  of  ministers, 
in  the  destitute  portions  of  our  country;  and  some,  to 
propagate  the  gospel  in  far  distant,  heathen,  lands ! — 
Much  has  thus  been  done ; but  much  more  must  still  be 
done,  before  this  glorious  work  will  be  accomplished. 

Let  me,  therefore,  exhort  all  in  this  assembly,  seri- 
ously to  consider,  what  they  can  do,  and  what  they  ought 
to  attempt  in  this  business.  Every  one  may  do  some- 
thing, either  by  personal  exertions,  or  by  contributing  to 
the  funds  of  missionary  societies. — Let  none  plead,  that 
they  are  unacquainted  with  the  subject  of  missions.  For 
the  increasing  means  of  information,  with  which  we  are 
furnished,  renders  such  a plea  inadmissible.  Beside,  the 
different  immediate  objects  of  missionary  societies  all 
unite  in  one  grand  object.  Whether,  therefore,  you 
contribute,  to  send  missionaries  to  heathen  lands,  or  to 
supply  the  destitute  with  the  preached  gospel  in  our  own 
country — whether  you  aid  in  translating  the  scriptures 
into  other  languages,  or  furnishing  them  for  the  poor, 
who  speak  our  own  language,  you  are  still  promoting  the 
same  glorious  cause.  In  the  minds  of  some  there  may 
be  a choice  among  these  immediate  objects ; and  others 
may  divide  their  contributions,  and  appropriate  a part  to 
each.  But  no  Christian  can,  by  pleading  ignorance,  jus- 
tify himself  in  neglecting  all. — Nor  can  any  plead  inabil- 
ity, while  they  indulge  themselves  in  one  article  of  lux- 
ury— while  they  spend  their  money  for  one  superfluity — 


27 


while,  without  injury  to  their  families,  or  injustice  to 
others,  they  could  appropriate,  for  the  propagation  of  the 
gospel,  even  the  widow’s  mite. — Let  all,  therefore,  con- 
sider, what  they  can  do  for  this  purpose,  and  what  they 
ought  to  do  on  the  present  occasion. 

I urge  no  further.  Every  one  must  judge  for  him- 
self, act  for  himself,  and  give  account  of  his  stewardship 
to  God.  “ Remember”  only,  my  brethren,  “ the  words 
of  the  Lord  Jesus,  how  he  said,  It  is  more  blessed  to 
give,  than  to  receive.”*  “ Every  man,”  therefore,  “ac- 
cording as  he  purposeth  in  his  heart,  so  let  him  give,  not 
grudgingly,  nor  of  necessity  ; for  God  loveth  a cheerful 
giver.”f 


AMEN. 


• Acts,  xx.  35.  f 2 Cor.  ix.  7. 


' '!  < / /U  (ft MU 

• • *■  ■ 

. 

' • -i  i ■ • A ' , «•  v r i • X 

to  Mm  ?*>» 

*V  1 J j 

r : 

« 

- 


- . jnx'f 

. 

" 

v * . >'.  i'.l  «l 

. ' . r . . nlMlNI 

. 

fto* 


• . ‘ . I | M* 


appendix 


INDIANS. 

Stockbyidge  Indians. 

The  stated  mission  of  Rev.  Mr.  Sargeant  at  New  Stock- 
bridge  has  been  maintained,  as  usual,  and  nothing  material  has 
occurred.  The  jealousy  of  the  Indians,  in  regard  to  their  lands, 
has  been  inquired  into,  and  lias  at  least  subsided.  Among  oth- 
er instances  of  encouragement,  the  missionarj  mentions  three 
persons,  who  were  very  seriously  disposed,  and  applied  to  him 
for  religious  advice.  “These  three  persons,’’  he  observes, 
“ have  for  some  years  past  been  notorious  for  wickedness,  but 
a great  reformation  has  taken  place  in  their  lives  for  some  time 
past.” 

JVarragansets. 

The  grant,  made  by  the  Society  for  the  erection  of  a School- 
house  for  the  Indians,  has  been  faithfully  applied  to  that  pur- 
pose under  the  direction  of  the  President  and  Secretary  of  the 
Rhode  Island  Missionary  Society.  The  building  was  so  near- 
ly completed  in  May  1812,  that  the  Society  then  voted  one  hun- 
dred dollars  towards  the  support  of  a school.  Mr.  Jeremiah 
Niles  was  soon  after  appointed  instructor  ; and,  after  consulta- 
tion with  the  president  of  the  council,  opened  the  school  the 
20th  July.  The  number  of  his  scholars  varied  greatly  ; the  lar- 
gest number  was  31.  Their  attention  was  principally  directed 
to  reading  and  to  moral  and  religious  instruction.  “A  decided 
testimony  w as  borne  against  falsehood,  and  every  kind  of  pro- 
fanity; and  the  social  virtues  w ere  inculcated.”  The  tribe,  af- 
ter the  first  quarter,  “ manifested  a wish  that  a school  might 
be  continued.”  Attestations  were  received  of  the  acceptance 
and  usefulness  of  Mr.  Niles  as  an  instrueter,  and  he  was  contin- 
ued in  the  school;  which  was  kept  about  two  thirds  of  the 

year. The  Society,  this  vear,  appropriated  one  hundred  dol- 

5 ' 


30 


lars  to  tiie  school;  anti  Mr.  8ilas  Shores,  of  Taunton,  has  been 
appointed  instructer.  Near  the  close  of  the  first  quarter,  Ur.  Pat- 
ten wrote  to  the  Secretary,  that  “ his  number  of  scholars  has  not 
been  so  great  as  was  expected.  But  from  good  information  his 
labors  have  been  successful  and  very  acceptable,  and  the  In- 
dians are  desirous  that  he  should  be  continued  another  quarter, 
when  his  school  Will  be  larger,  as  the  boys  which  were  hired 
out  to  work  in  summer  will  be  at  home.  He  appears  to  have 
been  of  use  in  the  religious  instruction  of  the  Indians,  for 
though  they  do  not  wish  for  a preacher,  they  are  pleased  to 
have  him  attend  their  meeting,  and  to  speak  in  his  turn , and 
request  him  to  pray.”  Mr.  Shores  is  continued  in  the  school. 

Wyandots. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Badger  has  recently  sent  to  the  Society  a 
complete  history  of  the  mission  at  Sandusky.  Its  compilation 
was  requested  w hile  the  society  was  engaged  in  aiding  that  es- 
tablishment, which  has  at  length  been  relinquished.  The  in- 
formation it  contains  may  be  of  future  use.  It  is  a melancholy 
fact,  that  the  principal  obstruction  to  this  mission  was  from  white 
people.  Mr.  Badger  observes:  “this  station  (Lower  Sandusky) 
has  been  resorted  to  by  Indian  traders,  and,  I believe,  general- 
ly of  the  most  abandoned  characters.. ..The  main  difficulty  in 
conducting  a mission  among  the  Indians  arises  from  the  influ- 
ence of  the  traders  with  them.  They  are  wholly  opposed  to 
every  attempt  for  the  instruction  of  Indians ; and  being  well  ac- 
quainted with  Indian  jealousies,  use  every  device  to  excite  them 
against  the  mission.... Since  the  mission  broke  up,  there  has 
beeH  no  opportunity  of  doing  any  thing  with  them.” 

St.  John's  Tribe. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Eastman  was,  in  1811,  appointed  amission- 
ary for  one  month  to  the  Indians  on  St.  John's  river.*  The  spe- 
cial design  of  his  mission  was,  to  aseertion  their  number,  situa- 
tion, character,  and  whether  there  were  any  opening  for  melio- 
rating their  condition,  especially  by  religious  instruction.  The 
fears  and  jealousies  of  the  white  people,  in  regard  to  American 
missionaries,  were  found  to  be  inauspicious  to  the  mission.  A- 
• He  was  then  in  the  employment  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for 
Promoting  Christian  Knowledge,  in  that  region. 


SI 


larmed  with  the  apprehension  of  an  immediate  war  with  Amer- 
ica,  they  feared  our  missionary  would  alienate  the  affcctious  of 
the  Indians  from  their  own  to  the  American  interest.  He  was 
told  by  the  principal  agent  for  the  Indians,  that  nothing  could 
be  done  in  the  way  of  a religious  education,  w hile  the  Homan 
catholic  priests  held  possession  of  their  minds  against  all  other 
instruction.  “To  ascertain  the  exact  number  of  Indians  in  the 
St.  John's  tribe  (lie  observes)  1 found  it  somewhat  dilhcull,  as 
the  alarm  of  war  had  scattered  them  in  almost  every  direction. 
The  governor  of  this  tribe  w ith  his  family  had  lied  to  K.cnne- 
beck  a few  days  before  I arrived ; some  to  Quebec ; others  hunt- 
ing and  hshing;  but,  from  the  best  information,  1 believe  the 
whole  number  to  be  about  two  hundred.” 

Natick  Indians. 

A committee  has  been  appointed  by  the  society,  to  inquire, 
whether  there  be  any  reliques  of  these  Indians,  and,  if  any, 
what  is  their  state.  The  committee  (Rev.  Dr.  Prentiss  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Greenough)  have  made  a report,  by  w hich  it  appears, 
that  scarcely  any  remains  of  this  tribe  can  be  found.  Three 
females  aged  60  and  upwards,  one  man  aged  40,  and  one  lad 
aged  14,  were  all  the  Indians  resident  in  this  town  ; and  there 
are  between  20  and  30  who  are  not  residents.  “ Of  these,”  the 
report  states,  “some  cannot  read,  and  in  general  they  are  desti- 
tute of  property  or  regular  modes  of  life,  borne  of  them  are 
exceptions  from  this  statement,  possessing  some  property,  and 
a measure  of  information.” 

Western  Indians. 

It  being  understood,  the  last  year,  that  Messrs.  Samuel  J. 
Mills  and  John  F.  Schermerhorn,  candidates  for  the  minis- 
try, were  about  to  make  a tour  through  the  western  and  south- 
western parts  of  the  United  States,  to  learn  the  religious  situa- 
tion of  the  inhabitants,  and  occasionally  to  perform  missionary 
labour;  the  Society  voted  them  one  hundred  dollars  in  exclusive 
reference  to  the  Indian  tribes.  A series  of  questions  concern- 
ing the  natives  was  communicated  to  them  before  their  depart- 
ure, to  which  their  attention  was  particularly  directed.  They 


32 


have  returned  ; and  we  are  gratified  in  stating,  that  answers  to 
our  inquiries  will  shortly  be  given  in  a report,  which  is  in  pre- 
paration for  the  Society. 

DISTRICT  OF  MAINE. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  May  has  continued  to  perform  the  three 
months’  annual  service,  assigned  him  at  Brownville  and  the  vi- 
cinity, with  evident  success.  Finding  his  usefulness  in  the 
neighbourhood  obstructed  by  certain  preachers,  he  confined  his 
labours  for  a time  more  particularly  to  Brownville,  where  the  peo- 
ple, after  various  attempts  on  the  part  of  these  men  to  introduce 
themselves  among  them,  had  shown  themselves  almost  unani- 
mously disposed  to  discountenance  their  labours.  His  account 
of  the  public  religious  exercises,  as  conducted  under  the  guid- 
ance of  these  teachers,  is  truly  affecting : “ Men  and  women  and 
children  all  pray  and  preach  in  public,  and  at.  the  same  time; 
so  that  those  who  would,  can  only  feel  but  not  think  religiously, 
and  the  revival  has  in  general  progressed  rather  by  words  of 
excitement  than  words  calculated  at  once  to  enlighleu  the  un- 
derstanding and  warm  the  affections.  '1  he  Bible  is  considered 
by  many,  and  publicly  declared  by  some,  to  be  of  secondary  im- 
portance as  a rule  of  practice.”  A letter,  written  from  Wil- 
liamsburg in  April  last,‘-  in  behalf  of  the  principal  inhabitants 
of  this  vicinity,”  expresses  to  the  Society  “ grateful  acknowledg- 
ments of  the  favour  shown  them  in  the  appointment  of  Rev.  Mr. 
May,  to  administer  to  them  occasionally  the  word  and  ordinan- 
ces of  the  gospel  ; and  in  the  donations  to  them  from  time  to 
time,  of  such  books  as  their  state  and  situation  have  peculiar- 
ly required.”  After  strongly  expressing  their  satisfaction  in 
the  ministerial  labours  of  Mr.  May,  they  observe  : “ In  a period 
like  the  present,  when  vice  and  infidelity  on  one  hand,  and  ig- 
norant fanaticism  on  the  other,  are  threatening  openly  to  crush, 
or  covertly  to  subvert  the  foundation  of  all  religious  order,  and 
to  confine  within  the  narrowest  limits,  the  dissemination  of 
correct  principles  and  sound  doctrine,  we  look  with  solicitude 
to  those  societies,  which  the  bounty  of  God  has  enabled,  and  his 
wisdom  and  benevolence  inspired  with  a disposition,  to  extend 
the  hand  of  charity  to  those  whose  limited  means  do  not  cu&bla 


33 

them  to  procure  instruction  for  themselves,  much  less  for  their 
neighbours.”  Mr  May,  the  last  winter,  had  a school  of  25 
youth  under  his  tuition,  in  which  he  “ took  great  pains  to  in- 
culcate the  love  and  reverence  of  the  scriptures,  and  had  the 
satisfaction  to  see  his  endeavours  blessed  iu  the  improvement  of 
the  miuds  and  morals  of  the  rising  generation.” 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Smith,  in  1811,  performed  the  three  months’ 
missionary  service,  assigned  him  at  Temple  and  the  vicinity; 
and,  in  1812,  another  mission  of  four  months.  The  mainte- 
nance of  the  ministry  in  Temple  appears  to  have  essentially  de- 
pended on  the  aids  of  the  society.  We  have  received  repeated 
assurances  of  the  necessities  of  the  inhabitants,  and  of  their 
gratitude  for  the  succour  we  have  imparted  to  them.  In  the 
towns  or  plantations  where  Mr.  Smith  rendered  his  services, 
he  received  thankful  acknowledgments  from  the  people,  and 
earnest  solicitations  to  revisit  them.  The  society  in  Temple 
has  this  year  petitioned  for  Mr.  Smith’s  reappointment,  and 
for  a greater  share  of  his  missionary  labours. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Lovejoy  performed  the  three  months’  ser- 
vice, assigned  him  at  Vassalborough  and  the  vicinity  in  1811. 
The  attendance  was  considerably  more  numerous  than  in  the 
preceding  year  ; the  importance  of  regular  societies  more  gen- 
erally impressed  upon  the  minds  of  the  people ; and  his  labours 
w ere  crow  ned  with  “ visible  success.”  He  admitted  several 
members  into  the  church,  and  administered  baptism  to  9 chil- 
dren. The  congregational  society,  though  small,  raised  oue 
hundred  dollars  for  the  support  of  the  gospel,  and  expressed  a 
wish  for  the  continuance  of  Mr.  Lovejoy’s  services.  At  Fair- 
fax nearly  fifty  dollars  were  raised  for  the  support  of  congrega- 
tional preaching;  and  here  “things  in  several  points  of  view 
appear  more  favourable  than  they  have  done  before.”  There 
is  some  hope  that  a congregational  church  will  before  long  be 
founded  here.  Mr.  Lovejoy  performed  a mission  of  three  months 
in  the  same  region,  1812.  He  “ found  the  people  kind  and  hos- 
pitable wherever  lie  was  called  to  labour.”  He  baptized  3 
adults  and  4 infants  as  Vassalborough.  The  society  of  this 
place  have  made  their  arrangements  for  the  support  of  the  gos- 
pel, and  have  raised  the  same  sum  w hich  has  been  raised  for 


34 


several  years  past,  not  thinking  themselves  able  at  present  to 
do  more.  They  feel  under  great  obligations  to  the  Society  for 
propagating  the  gospel,  for  assisting  them  so  much,  and  still 
request  farther  aid.  At  Fairfax  appearances  are  more  favour- 
able. In  consequence  of  the  small  sum  subscribed  in  this  town 
the  year  preceding,  they  had  preaching  more  than  one  quarter 
of  the  year.  The  missionary  observes  : “ Good  appears  to 
have  been  done.  Three  have  been  added  to  the  church  ; and 
all  the  members  appear  to  feel  most  sensibly  the  importance  of 
enjoying  the  regular  administration  of  the  word  and  ordinan- 
ces of  God.”  On  this  mission  he  preached  6 sabbaths  at  Vas- 
salborough,  1 at  Haerlem,  2 at  Fairfax,  1 at  Fairfield,  1 at 
Unity,  and  1 at  Dixmont.  He  preached  54  limes,  attended 
oue  conference,  and  one  meeting  for  prayer,  visited  G schools, 
and  frequently  catechised  children. 

Mr.  Ephraim  Abbot  lias  performed  five  months'  mission- 
ary service  in  Itobbinston  and  the  vicinity,  since  his  first 
mission  of  two  months  in  1811.  In  a part  of  Deunysville  the 
people  contributed  ten  dollars, observing,  that  they  had  received 
much  benefit  from  the  Society;  that  they  hoped  it  would  graut 
them  farther  assistance ; that  they  needed  it,  and  books ; and 
that  they  wished  the  Society  to  receive  their  contribution  as  a 
token  of  their  approbation  of  its  benevolent  designs,  and  of 
their  gratitude  for  the  favours  which  they  had  received  from  it.” 
At  Dennys  river  Theodore  Lincoln,  Esq.  has  erected  a 
building,  that  is  used  as  a school  house  and  meeting  house. 
It  is  sufficiently  large  to  accommodate  200  persons.  After  the 
first  mission,  Mr.  Abbot  preached  4 weeks  at  Robbinston,  6 
w'eeks  at  Calais,  and  3 months  at  Eastport;  in  the  first  of  these 
places  being  compensated  by  the  town,  in  the  two  last,  by  sub- 
scription. He  distributed  nearly  100  books  and  tracts,  which 
he  received  of  the  Society  ; 266  Bibles,  and  216  Testaments  sent 
him  by  the  Bible  Society;  and  school  bouks,  with  religious 
books  and  tracts,  received  by  donations  from  Andover,  Cam- 
bridge, Charlestown,  and  Boston,  to  the  amount  of  about  one 
hundred  dollars.  The  supply  of  school  books  encouraged  par- 
ents to  make  considerable  exertions  to  provide  schools  for  their 
children.  The  religious  books  were  much  needed,  and  were 
all  thankfully  received.  Many  expressed  their  gratitude  by 


words,  and  some  by  (cars.  A large  proportion  of  the  people 
were  poor,  and  many  children,  and  some  men  and  women 
could  not  read.  The  incorporated  towns  have  public  free 
schools.  There  are  very  convenient  meetinghouses  in  Robbins- 
ton  and  Calais.  The  missionary  observes:  “The  principal 
men  in  these  towns  have  manifested  a regard  for  the  public, 
good  by  the  erection  of  these  houses,  by  their  liberal  support  of 
schools,  and  by  their  judicious  and  expensive  improvement  of 
roads,  which  entitle  them  to  much  respect  and  esteem.”  There 
was  a very  general  attendance  of  the  people  in  all  places  where 
he  preached.  During  his  mission,  he  assisted  in  organizing  a 
church  in  Robbinston.  Appearances  were  favorable  at  East- 
port,  “where  the  principal  men,  who  were  desirous  of  having 
a congregational  meeting  among  them,  had  signed  obligations 
for  erecting  a respectable  meeting  house,  and  had  purchased  a 
convenient  lot  for  its  site.” 

The  Rev.  Robert  Cochran  was  employed  two  months 
early  in  1812,  in  the  northeast  parts  of  Lincoln  county.  His 
services  were  chiefly  performed  in  Appleton  and  Lincolnville, 
an  account  of  “the  friendly  disposition  of  the  people  towards 
the  standing  order  of  ministers,  and  the  great  gratitude  they 
expressed  to  the  Society  for  sending  them  a minister  of  that  or- 
der.” He  visited  schools,  and  preached  sometimes  to  large 
and  attentive  assemblies.  He  also  performed  two  months’ 
additional  service  for  the  Society,  in  the  autumn  of  the  same 
year,  at  Robbinston  and  the  vicinity.  lie  visited  Jonesborough, 
where  there  is  no  church  formed,  of  any  denomination.  The 
people  of  that  place  have  been  neglected,  and  requested  that 
it  might  be  made  known  to  the  society,  “that  they  were  very 
desirous  of  having  them  send  a missionary.”  At  Dennysville 
he  found  considerable  attention  to  religion,  and  to  the  educa- 
tion of  the  children.  At  Robbinston  the  people  requested  him 
to  continue  with  them  a few  weeks,  at  their  own  expense;  but 
he  could  not  comply  with  their  request.  He  preached  34  ser- 
mons on  this  mission,  and  remarked,  that,  “considering  the 
scattered  situation  of  the  people,  they  attended  meetings  well, 
and  gave  good  attention.”  Robbinston,  in  his  judgment,  w ould 
be  a very  favorable  station  for  a resident  missionary,  who 


36 


might  instruct  a school,  perform  pastoral  duty, and  occasional- 
ly do  missionary  service  in  the  vicinity  ; but  the  effects  of  the 
war  upon  that  region  of  our  country  are  such,  as  must  for  the 
present  render  such  an  establishment  inexpedient,  if  not  im- 
practicable. Mr.  Cochran  has  performed  the  service,  assigned 
him  the  present  year  at  Appleton  and  the  vicinity.  In  general, 
he  had  larger  assemblies  than  he  could  have  expected.  He 
instructed  children  and  youth  in  a school  at  Appleton  one  month 
and  preached  on  Lord’s  days.  The  success  of  the  mission  was 
very  encouraging  in  this  place,  where  he  expected  a church 
would  be  shortly  gathered. 

The  Society,  the  last  year,  voted  one  hundred  dollars  to 
Mr.  Peter  Nurse,  in  aid  of  the  schools  in  Ellsworth.  Mr. 
Nurse,  in  a letter  to  the  Secretary,  writes,  that  he  taught  a 
school  there  about  ten  months  withiu  the  year,  and  that  the  num- 
ber of  scholars,  who  were  of  all  ages  from  four  to  twenty  and 
upwards,  has  varied  from  40  to  70.  “We  use  the  Bible,”  he 
observes,  “ much  in  the  school.  I endeavour  to  make  my 
scholars  read  it  with  attention  and  understanding.  I often 
make  such  remarks  as  seem  to  me  suitable  and  important  on 
the  portions  of  scripture  which  we  read.  In  this  way  my 
scholars  have  become  considerably  acquainted  with  the  facts 
recorded  in  the  scriptures.  And  I live  in  hope  that  their  hearts 
M ill  in  some  future  period  be  impressed  with  the  great  doctrines 
of  the  gospel  ” The  benefit  of  his  instructions,  in  qualifying 
his  pupils  to  become  teachers,  deserves  notice,  as  it  promises 
extensive  advantage  to  the  settlements  in  Maine.  “ Nearly  a 
dozen,”  he  writes,  “ who  have  received  the  greater  part  of  their 
education  in  my  school,  have  been  employed  in  teachingschools 
in  this  and  the  neighbouring  towns.  Two  of  my  scholars  are 
noM'  teachingschools  in  Castine.”  Mr.  Nurse  has  been  ordain- 
ed to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  EUsMorth;  but  he  writes,  “I 
am  settled  in  this  town  on  the  condition  that  1 shall  superintend 
the  schools,  and  instruct  personally  in  the  central  one,  as  much 
as  I can  in  consistency  with  the  faithful  discharge  of  minis- 
terial duty.”  This  statement  sIioms  the  importance  of  the  So- 
ciety’s grant,  as  if  respects  the  ministry,  asnell  as  the  schools. 
To  encourage  such  promising  beginuiugs,  and  to  aid  so  import- 


s 7 


ant  an  object,  the  society  has  made  the  same  grant  to  Mr. 
Nurse  this  year,  as  the  last,  of  one  hundred  dollars.  A fuller 
account  of  this  mission  is  given  by  the  Evangelical  Mission- 
ary Society,  in  whose  service  Mr.  Nurse  was  first  employed, 
and  under  whose  auspices  he  was  ordained.  See  the  report 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  Trustees  of  that  Society,  1812. 

Mr.  Silas  Warren  performed  two  months’  missionary 
service  for  the  Society,  the  last  year,  at  Jackson  and  the  vicin- 
ity. He  preached  26  sermons,  made  26  family  visits,  distribut- 
ed many  books,  visited  one  school,  and  attended  two  conference 
meetings.  “The  people,”  he  writes,  “among  whom  I have 
laboured,  join  with  me  in  expressions  of  gratitude  to  your  So- 
ciety for  the  favour  you  have  bestowed.  We  hope  while  we 
are  faithful  in  our  duty,  that  God  will  own  and  bless  us,  and 
that  you  will  continue  your  aid.”  Having  been  requested  to 
pay  particular  attention  to  the  schools,  he  forcibly  states  the 
importance  of  them,  and  the  inability  of  the  people  to  support 
them.  “ Money  expended  in  this  wray,”  he  observes,  “ would 
be  of  great  utility.  It  would  not  only  qualify  the  rising  gen- 
eration for  usefulness  in  society,  but  it  would  open  the  way  for 
the  reception  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.”  The  Society,  this 
year,  granted  one  hundred  dollars  to  Mr.  Warren,  in  aid  of 
the  schools  in  Jackson;  and  the  design  appears  to  be  faithfully 
prosecuted.  In  a letter  to  the  Secretary,  dated  7th  October 
last,  Mr.  Warren  writes:  “We  have  had  a school  in  each 
plantation  for  the  benefit  of  small  children.  These  schools 
have  been  under  my  immediate  inspection — I find  they  have 
been  useful.  I have  been  at  a part  of  the  expense  by  discharg- 
ing the  bills  of  those  whose  parents  were  unable  to  pay.  I 
have  two  under  my  care  and  instruction;  one  will  be  qualified 
to  teach  this  winter.  As  soon  as  the  inhabitants  have  gathered 
in  their  harvest,  I shall  commence  a school  in  Jackson,  and 
continue  through  the  winter.  The  inhabitants  join  me  in  ex- 
pressing gratitude  for  the  continuance  of  favours... .Yesterday 
the  church  was  organized.”  To  have  been  auxiliary  to  this 
establishment,  (as  also  to  that  at  Ellsworth)  must  give  satis- 
faction to  the  Society.  A fuller  account  of  this  establishment 
is  given  by  the  Evangelical  Missionary  Society,  by  whom 
6 


38 

Mr.  Warren  was  first  employed,  and  under  whose  patronage 
lie  has  been  ordained. 

RHODE  ISLAND. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Coe  performed  a mission  of  three  months, 
the  last  year,  in  the  western  parts  of  this  Slate.  In  several 
places  he  met  with  more  encouragement  than  has  usually  been 
given  in  that  quarter  to  missionaries.  At  Slater’s  factory 
lodi  jiugs  were  provided  for  him ; and  he  spent  seven  sabbaths 
there.  The  prejudices  and  habits  of  the  people,  in  the  region 
he  visited,  he  considers  as  unfavourable  to  the  cause.  “ The 
few  of  our  order,”  he  writes,  “ receive  the  missionaries  with 
joy;”  but  he  sees  no  prospect  of  building  regular  churches  at 
present,  excepting  in  East  Greenwich,  South  Kingston,  or 
Smilhfield....“  Several  circumstances,  however,  are  favourable. 
More  encouragement  is  given  to  education  than  in  past  ages.”.... 
The  agitation  of  the  times  caused  some  interruption  of  his 
labours.  During  his  mission  he  preached  73  sermons,  attend- 
ed 7 meetings  for  prayer  and  addresses,  and  1 conference,  and 
visited  11  schools,  and  20fi  families.  His  Journal  gives  a 
particular  account  of  the  moral  and  ecclesiastical  state  of  the 
country  ; and  suggests  the  importance  of  ascertaining  proper 
stations  for  missionaries. 

The  Society  has  granted  twenty  five  dollars  for  the  last 
year,  and  the  same  sum  for  the  present,  to  Rev.  Mr.  Chapiit, 
of  Pownal,  in  aid  of  the  maintenance  of  the  ministry  in  that 
place. 

The  Congregational  Church  and  Society  in  Phovincetoxwn 
have  presented  a petition,  which  was  communicated  at  the  late 
semi-annual  meeting,  and  received,  as  it  obviously  claimed,  par- 
ticular attention.  They  state,  that  the  war  lias  brought  upon 
them  great  calamity  and  distress,  and  an  evil  which  they  pe- 
culiarly deplore — the  necessity  of  ‘-living  without  a preached 
gospel,  unless  they  can  obtain  relief.”  “In  addition  to  our 
present  poverty  and  distress  (they  observe)  we  should  serious- 
ly view  a deprivation  of  the  public  ordinances  as  a distressing 


39 


affliction.  The  people  appear  to  be  willing  to  niaiutain  the 
gospel  to  their  utmost  abilities,  but  except  they  have  some  as- 
sistance they  will  be  obliged  to  abandon  the  idea,  which  gives 
them  much  anxiety.”  The  Society  voted  for  their  present  re- 
lief one  huudred  dollars. 


BOOKS. 

The  Society  voted,  last  year,  8200  for  the  purchase  of 
books  for  distribution.  That  sum  wus  expended  in  the  pur- 
chase of  the  following  books  : 

Baxter’s  Saints’  Best 

Memoirs  of  Mrs  Ramsay 

Hemmenway’s  Discourses  to  Children 

Clinton  on  Baptism 

Watts’  Catechisms 

Religious  Tradesman 

Jay’s  Life  of  Winter 

Wright  & Haweis  on  Communion 

Henry  on  do. 

Hymns  for  Infant  Minds 

Doddridge's  Sermons  to  Young  Persons 

Friendly  Visit  to  the  House  of  Mourning 

Watts’  Psalms  and  Hymns 

Spelling  Books 

Primers. 

Most  of  these  books  have  been  distributed  ; and  they  have 
been  gratefully  received.  The  Society  has  appropriated  §50 
for  the  purchase  of  books,  the  present  year. 

The  preacher,  appointed  to  deliver  the  annual  sermon,  hav- 
ing failed  the  last  year  through  ill  health,  no  account  has  been 
given  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Society  since  November  1811. 
This  Appendix  resumes  the  account  from  that  time. 

The  success  of  societies,  instituted  for  benevolent  and  pious 
purposes,  seldom  rises  to  the  height  of  their  designs,  impedi- 
ments, often  unforeseen,  and  not  unfrequently  insurmountable, 
prevent  the  complete  execution  of  the  best  schemes  for  diffusing 


40 


(lie  knowledge,  and  promoting  the  practice,  of  Christianity.  It 
is  our  constant  aim  to  obtain  the  most  correct  information  of  the 
state  of  destitute  churches  and  people,  and  of  their  comparative 
as  well  as  absolute  claims  on  our  charily,  and  to  employ  the 
best  means  in  our  power  to  accomplish  the  end.  The  ditficul- 
ties  attending  missions,  whether  among  the  new  settlers,  or 
among  the  native  inhabitants,  of  onr  country,  are  not  easily  im- 
agined by  persons,  who  view  the  subject  at  a distance,  and 
have  no  share  in  its  labour  or  responsibility.  To  suffer  those 
difficulties,  however,  to  discourage  our  hopes,  or  to  slacken  our 
exertions,  in  so  good  a cause,  were  unworthy  of  Christians. 
After  all  the  deductions  that  must  be  made,  the  amount  of  good, 
effected  by  associations  like  ours,  is  incalculable.  Thanksgiv- 
ings are  doubtless  ascending  daily  to  God  for  their  pious  char- 
ities, and  the  blessings  of  thousands  ready  to  perish  will  come 
upon  the  benefactors.  The  preceding  narrative,  it  is  believed, 
carries  internal  evidence,  sufficient  to  satisfy  t lie  fair  and  can- 
did mind,  that  our  efforts,  far  from  being  fruitless,  have,  with 
the  divine  blessing,  been  productive  of  great  and  extensive  good. 
Encouraged  by  the  past,  we  shall  be  animated  to  the  future. 
Nor  will  we  doubt,  that,  while  the  object  of  the  Society  shall 
be  faithfully  prosecuted,  there  will  he  a readiness  in  our  fel- 
low Christians  to  aid  it  by  their  alms  and  their  prayers. 

STATEMENT  OF  FUNDS. 

U.  S.  star  per  cent  stock,  7500  dollars — real  value 


1st  April,  1813,  82733  39 

Union  Bank  stock,  0300  dollars,  advance  paid 
413,  6713  00 

Massachusetts  State  Mote,  610  dolls.  640  00 

Bonds  and  Mortgages,  900  00 

Massachusetts  Bank  Stock,  11500  dolls. — advance 
paid  gl3 22,  12822  00 


823808  39 

JC?”  Of  this  sum,  g8S61  56  is  considered  as  the  donation  of 
John  . Ilford , Esq.  and  the  income  thereof  appropriated  exclu- 
sively for  the  benefit  of  the  Indians. 


41 


|C7*  8500  was  presented  to  the  Society  in  July  last,  by  Ilis 
Honor  William  Phillips,  Esq.  to  be  expended  during  the  current 
year. 

10“  The  collection  at  the  Church  in  Chauncy  Place,  on 
the  4-f  h of  Nov.  1813,  amounted  to  gl86  40. 

|0“  Received  from  an  absent  member  on  the  6th  of  Novem- 
ber, gio. 


MISSIONARIES  FOR  A.  D.  1813. 


Names. 


Rev.  Hezekiah  May 
— — Daniel  Lovejoy 
Nathaniel  Porter 

— D.<vid  Smith 

— Robert  Cochran 

Peter  Nurse 

Silas  Warren 

Perez  Chapin 


Places  of  abode . 
Brownville 
Fairfax 
Conway  N-  H. 
Temple 
Camden 
Ellsworth 
Jackson 
Pownal 


Location. 


Months. 


Brownville  and  vicinity  3 

Va^salborough  and  vicinity  3 

Alfred  and  vicinity  4 

Temple  and  vicinity  4 

Appleton  and  vicinity  3 

Schools  in  Ellsworth,  grant  glOO 
Schools  in  Jackson  do.  glOO 

Ministry  in  Pownal  do.  g50 


Books  for  distribution 


do.  g50 


ON  ALFORD  FUND. 

Rev.  John  Sergeant  N.  Stockbridge  N.  Stockbridge  12  months. 

Mr.  Silas  Shores  Taunton  Charlestown  R.  I.  grant  glOO 


OFFICERS,  ELECTED  MAY  1813. 

His  Honor  William  Phillips,  Esq.  President. 
Rev.  John  Lathrop,  D.  D.  Vice  President. 

Rev.  A biel  Holmes,  D.  D.  Secretary. 

Rev.  William  E.  Channing,  Assistant  Secretary. 
Mr.  Samuel  H.  Walley,  Treasurer. 

Mr.  Josiah  Salisbury,  Vice  Treasurer. 

SELECT  COMMITTEE. 

Samuel  Salisbury,  Esq. 

Alden  Bradford,  Esq. 

Hon.  Thomas  Dawes, 

Jedidiah  Morse,  D.  D. 

Mr.  James  White, 

With  the  President,  Secretary,  and  Treasurer. 


/ 


42 

.fl  complete  List  of  the  Members  of  the  Society. 

N.  B.  The  act  of  incorporation  provides,  that  the  whole  number  of  the 
Society  shall  at  no  time  exceed  fifty  members. 

Those  to  whose  names  an  asterisk  * is  prefixed. , are  deceased. 

\ 

* Nathaniel  Appleton,  Esq. 

Rev.  1 homas  Barnard,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Joshua  Bates 

* Rev.  Jeremy  Belknap,  D.  D. 

•His  Excellency  Janies  Bowdoin,  Esq. 

Alden  Bradford,  Esq. 

Benjamin  Bussey,  Esq. 

* Richard  Cary,  Esq. 

Rev.  William  E Channing 
•Rev.  John  Clark,  D.  D. 

•Hon.  Richard  Crunch 

* Hon.  Francis  Dana 
Hon.  John  Davis 

* Hon.  Thomas  Dawes 
Hon.  Thomas  Dawes 
•Rev.  Joseph  Eekley,  D.  D. 

Samuel  Elliot,  Esq. 

* Rev.  John  Eliot,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Nathanael  Eminons,  D.  D. 

•Rev.  Levi  Frisbie 

* His  Honor  Moses  Gill,  Esq. 

David  S.  Greenough,  Esq. 

Rev.  William  Greenough 
•Rev.  Timothy  Milliard 
Rev.  Abiel  Holmes,  D.  D. 

Dr.  Edward  A.  Holyoke 

* Rev.  Simeon  Howard,  D.  D. 

* William  Hyslop,  Esq. 

Mr.  David  Hyslop 
Rev.  James  Kendall 

Rev.  John  T.  Kirkland,  D.  D.  LL.  D.  Pres.  Harv. 
Col). 

Rev.  John  Lalhrop,  D.  D. 


* Thomas  Lee,  Esq. 

* Hon.  Benjamin  Lincoln 
•Rev.  Daniel  Little 
•Hon.  John  Lowell 

* Hon.  Jonathan  Mason 

* Rev.  Joseph  Me  Kean,  D.  D.  Pres.  Bowd.  Coll. 

Rev.  Jedidiah  Morse,  D.  D. 

•Rev.  Phillips  Payson,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Elijah  Parish,  D.  D. 

Samuel  Parkman,  Esq. 

Eliphalet  Pearson,  LL.  D. 

* Hon.  William  Phillips 

H is  Honor  William  Phillips,  Esq. 

Mr.  Jonathan  Phillips 

Rev.  John  Pierce 

Rev.  Eliphalet  Porter,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Thomas  Prentiss,  D.  D. 

Daniel  D.  Rogers,  Esq. 

* Hon.  Thomas  Russell 
Samuel  Salisbury,  Esq. 

Mr.  Josiah  Salisbury 
•Ebenezer  Stoier,  Esq. 

* His  Excellency  James  Sullivan 
•His  Excellency  Increase  Sumner 

* Rev.  David  Tappan,  D.  D. 

•Rev.  Peter  Thacher,  D.  D. 

* Hon.  John  Treadwell 
Hon.  Cotton  Tufts,  M.  D. 

Hon  Dudley  A.  Tyng 
Mr.  Samuel  H.  Walley 

Rev.  Henry  Ware,  D.  D.  Prof.  Divin.  Harr.  Coll. 

H on.  Oliver  Wendell 
James  White,  Esq. 

Ebenezer  Wight,  Esq. 

* Rev.  Edward  Wigglesworth,  D.  D.  Prof.  Div.  Harv. 

Coll. 

* Rev.  Joseph  Willard.  D.  D.  LL.  D.Pres.  Harv.  Coll. 
Samuel  Williams,  LL.  D. 

Mr.  William  Woodbridge. 


44 


>,  S >1  / 


form  of  a bequest,  or  legacy. 

Item : I give  and  bequeath  the  sum  of  to  the 

Society  for  propagating  the  Gospel  among  the  Indians  and  others 
in  North  America  ; to  be  applied  either  to  the  general  objects 
of  the  Institution,  or  to  such  particular  purposes,  consistent 
with  those  objects,  as  the  donor  may  think  proper. 


THE  END. 


